Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-18
DATHS FOR THE MASSES.
A PLACE WHERE THE POOR MAY
BATTLE At SLIGHT EXPENSE.

BATTLE AT SLIGHT EXPENSE.
a Michigan Lumberman's Philanthropio
Scheme for the Benefit Of CLicaso's
Poor-A Model Establishment in Every
way-Generous Offer.
A wealthy Michigan lumberman, inspired
By purely humanitarian motives, has started
TO do for the poor Of Chicago what the city
should have done long ago. He is not even
q resident of the city and has no interests
here beyond praiseworthy desire to benefit
mankind His name is Charles F. Ruggles
and his home in Manistee, Mich, where ho
has built up great numbering industry and
accumulted property that aggregates some
thing like 50, 100000. Mr. Ruggies is bach
oior and spends good deal of his time and
money in performing charitable acts. Els
pet whim, and one than has won him the
reputation of being mild sort of crank, i
that the public ought to be induced to ts--c
frequent baths. Summer and winter h
takes bath regularly every morning, and
he points with pride to the fact that he k,s
never known sick day in his life. This lie
Attributes entirely to cleansing his skin from
impurities.
One day last summer while in Chicago he
noticed that great many persons whom he
met on the streets and in the horse cars were
personally very dirty. On making inquiries
he found that % cents was the lowest price at
.shich person could obtain bath, so he
determined to establish bath house here
where the prices would be within reach OF
even the poorest. 1t did not take long to get
1<,h tyN-1
the first floor and basement of larpe brick
building on west Madison street. us io:'c!-
ity was well selected as being the ,:lc.,.
cessible from all parts Of the city. 1t g
nearly $13, 900 to Ut the place Up, a.
money was spared in making it both &C.
Portable and attractive Aug. u the b.
were opened to the public at prices ram:
from to 10 cents Mr. Rugglcs in st.b
fishing these prices had no idea that the lace
could be made self sustaining the first yea.
that it was in operation, and he counted Oh
The city to help him out by furnishing free
water. His first move in this direction met
with no end of opposition. Mr.. Ruggle;
consulted an attorney and was told that any
charitable institution, Endorsed by two tax
payers. was entitled to receive water from,
the city free of charge, and he has now
Any one who visits the place and sees the
accommodations that are furnished for Il
mere trifiing consideration can but admit
that it is charitable institution of the high
est order and one that is entitled to public
consideration. On entering one steps into
neat office tastefully furnished and separated
from the rest of the establishment by wire
screen On the left is the cashiers desk
where 4 woman appointed by the Women's
Christian Temperance union presidas. l.
you want a bath you present your money
and the cashier hands out a ticket on which
l., printed the number of the room you are
20 occupy and the length of time you are
permitted to remain This ticket is taken
at the gate by one of the porters who con-
ducts you to the room, shows you how to
operate the bath, and gives you any atten-
ton that may be required When the ticket
is given out the cashier jots down the num-
Der of the room ON a time sheet and when the
bather closes the door of his apartment the
fact is known in the office by means OF an
electric annunciator similar to those used in
hotels Time is then taken and noted on the
sheet under the number Of the room. The
bather is permitted to remain twenty minutes,
and if there is no one waiting he can stay as
long as he desires. If the room is wanted for
another the cashier touches an electric button
when the allotted time has expired and this
rings a bell in the room, informing the bather
that he must dress
The bath rooms, fort y-four in number, are
ranged in two tiers and in double rows. In
the first tier there are sixteen rooms, each
tive feet six inches ,ong and five feet wide
and of sufficient height to accommodate the
tallcst persons. They are divided into ex-
elusive apartments by pine partitions OF hard
oil finish. Not speck of dirt can be seen
on the woodwork, which is carefully scrubbed
every night. In these rooms is metal tub,
lined with porcelain and with faucets for
hot and cold water Printed rules, which
are by no means stringent, are placed on the
walls of each compartment, and there are
also directions for manipulating the fixtures.
Ventilators connecting with high shaft are
placed in each room to carry off the steam
and heat SO that the temperature never
varies, while the atmosphere is at all times
healthful and pleasant. There are towei
racks. brushes, shampoo bottles, q foldin;
chair, foot drains, hooks on which to ha0,
clothing, and in fact all the appurtenancss
necessary in fitting up a first class modern
bath room. These baths are furnished for
10 cents each, and a reduction of : cents is
allowed 10 those who bi ing their own towels.
An iron staircase leads to the upper tier,
which contains twenty eight rooms. These
are fitted up in a similar manner to the
rooms in the lower tier only they are some
what smaller, and instead of a tub have q
large shower fixture. The shower baths
cost but cents, or cents if the bather brings
towels The bather undresses, and aftel
drawing a rubber curtain in front Of him to
protect his clothing from being splashed lie
stands on drain under the fixture and turns
on shower of hot and cold water. The
shower and temperature of the water are
regulated by the bather himself.
In tie rooms set apart for women are large
mirrors with combs and brushes, but the men
l. Ter dressing descend 20 the basement,
where a large toilet room IS fitted up, anG
when their toilet is completed they can reach
the street without returning TO the office. Ii
going out they pass through large barber
shop, which is handsomely fitted up, and
where shave can be obtained for 10 cents
This is part of the establishment. When the
bather leaves his room, an indicator drops
down over the door, showing that the room
is in disorder. One of the porteTs at once
enters and gives it thorough scrubbing.
1t is then ready for another occupant
Having established the baths and demon
,trated beyond question their i'm portance and
value, Mr. Ruggles now offers to donate the
plant to the city if the city viii agree to
c.aintain the present low prices and devote
whatever income may hereafter be derived
20 charging the establishment and extend
ng its usefulneSs.-Chicag Tribune.
To Erase Grease Spots.